The Relationship between Depression and Malnutrition in the Elderly Diabetics

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are various factors affecting the nutritional status of the elderly. Depression has been known as an important factor of malnutrition in them. We had already reported the poor nutritional status of elderly diabetics [J Kor Diabetes Association 22(1)71, 1998]. We investigated to document the prevalence of malnutrition and its relationship to depression in elderly diabetic patients. METHODS: We studied 52 patients aged 65 and over (65-00 y, mean 76.7 y; 22 men, 30 women) with diabetes mellitus admitted during from 1996 through 1997. Malnutrition was diagnosed on presence of 1 or more criteria; 10% weight loss in last 3 months, serum albumin <3.3 g/dL, serum transferrin <200 mg/dL, and blood total lymphocyte<1,800/mm3. There was no significant differences between depressed Group and non-depressed Group in duration of diabetes, body mass index, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and number of complication including hypoglycemic episodes. Depression was assessed on Hamilton Depression Scale score of 16 or more. Data were analyzed by Chi square test. RESULTS: 28/52 (53.9%) were malnourished, 12/52 (23.1%) having depression. Of the 12 patients with depression, only 5 had malnutrition. No significant relation between depression and malnutrition was found (Chi squre=2.689, p=0.992). CONCLUSION: Depression might have no significant relationship to malnutrition in the elderly diabetic in-patients.